Literature Network » Samuel Butler

Right speech in a world of mirrors: scattered reflections.

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From: ReVision
Date: 20020322
Author:Senauke, Alan

Teach us to care and not to care, Teach us to sit still--T. S. Eliot

I often recall a sentence from one of Samuel Butler's essays: "Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on," and then I add that there is a drunken riot going on in the concert hall, and nobody at all is minding the music.--Saul Bellow, from "The Distracted Public"

The Buddha's rule of thumb regarding right speech has served me well for many years now. Before speaking--or writing--I try to ask myself if my words are true, useful, and timely--three basic ...